SECTION SECTION: Facilitate Resolution of Debate on Liquor Stores
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The issue of rebuilding liquor stores in South Central Los Angeles has become a volatile flashpoint in the effort to rebuild Los Angeles. The conflict it has stirred can only be understood in the broader context: frustrations, feelings of victimization and powerlessness underlie the explosive nature of the debate on this issue. But the problems that give rise to these sentiments are much larger than the liquor store issue itself They are the result of the lack of jobs and meaningful opportunities faced by thousands; the lack of opportunities and obstacles faced by minority entrepreneurs and small businesspersons; years of governmental and private sector neglect and disenfranchisement of immigrant and minority communities. Ultimately, the conflicts that have flared around the liquor store issue can only be funy resolved by addressing these larger problems facing communities in Los Angeles. The liquor store issue has become a lightening rod for the frustration and anger stemming from these larger problems. For the residents of South Central. the over concentration of liquor stores is a symbol of blight in their communities. The abundance of liquorprovides an easily accessible avenue for alcohol abuse, as a destructive means of escape from hopelessness, and as potential magnets for criminal and other negative activities. it is no surprise that a recent petition drive to reduce the number of liquor stores in South Central gathered over 34,000 signatures. This has been an issue of concern for the community for many years. Over 350 liquor stores were partially or completely destroyed during the civil unrest. The liquor store Issue has now become a test of whether historically powerless communities like South Central will be able to determine their future and take control of development. Community residents are demanding the right to control what is built and rebuilt within their own neighborhoods, to insure that development actually serves their needs and improves the quality of life -- a right that is taken for granted in wealthier communities. For the store owner, however, these businesses represent the livelihood and often, the life savings, of the families that run them. These store owners did not buy or start these businesses with the intent of bringing harm to the local community. The low rents and overhead of a liquor business, together with the profitability of selling liquor is an unfortunate convergence of the desire to start a family business and the neglected conditions of South Central. For families whose stores were partially or completely destroyed, the hardship is excruciating. Many were underinsured or uninsured. Now, without income and faced with the demands of creditors, many families are in desperate need. FEMA and the SBA have proved to be unresponsive to their critical needs. It is not surprising that faced with this situation, store owners feel the urgency to rebuild and restart their businesses as quickly as possible. The need for decisive action on this Issue by government and by the communities involved is urgent, Before us lies an opportunity and the necessity to meet all the legitimate needs in this issue in a way that can begin building greater trust and understanding among Asian and Pacific Islander, African American, and Latino communities. Many of the same Issues confront other cities also affected by the April unrest -- including Compton, Inglewood, Long Beach. and others. Recommendation/ Action #30
A working relationship between residents and business owners. through a process which encourages dialogue and avoids unnecessary conflict. will ultimately benefit the entire community. The role of government leaders in this capacity is to serve as facilitators of these neighborhood discussions. The Senate Task Force applauds Mayor Tom Bradley's South Central Community/Merchant Liquor Task Force, which has conducted an in-depth study of liquor store policies with input from all parties of interest. These efforts must continue at the neighborhood level. Recommendation/ Action #31
The desire of residents to reduce the amount of liquor stores in their communities is easily understandable. This widespread support, however, must be tempered with the perspective of a businessperson who has invested his/her life savings in a family business. The elimination of liquor license ownerships without proper compensation or assistance will only exacerbate the already tense race relations surrounding the rebuilding of Los Angeles. Furthermore, serious questions concerning the legality of arbitrary liquor license removals without adequate financial compensation, exist. For the above reasons, the Senate Task Force endorses the conversion or relocation of liquor stores with the technical assistance of pertinent governmental or interested entities, such as Rebuild Los Angeles (RLA). The Bradley Task Force has already outlined some options the state can pursue to block the issuance of additional liquor licenses and measures to encourage the conversion of liquor stores. These options would: 1) Permit liquor licenses in South Central to qualify for "inter-county" transfers to allow the relocation of licenses from Los Angeles to other counties; 2) Allow businesses with multiple licenses to purchase off-sale licenses in South Central with an identified site, and extend permission for the purchased licenses to be held for a predetermined amount of time. This would allow the purchasers an extended period of time to apply for licenses outside of the saturated areas in Los Angeles County; 3) Allow non-profits and other charitable organizations to purchase and "bank" liquor licenses in South Central without the intent of using them, and reselling the license to applicants in other parts of the city; 4) Prohibit the issuance of new or transferred (from other parts of the city) ABC alcohol licenses in South Central Los Angeles; 5) Amend the administrative procedures of the ABC to increase the opportunities for inter-county transfers to more than once per year. |
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